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/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> The Cafe >> Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Course? /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1281020212 Message started by Jive on 08/05/10 at 07:56:48 |
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Title: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Course? Post by Jive on 08/05/10 at 07:56:48 I am taking it the weekend of Aug. 27th, and was wondering what to expect. The one person I know that has taken it said it was well worth the time and money, and he took it after being a rider for years. Jive |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by babyhog on 08/05/10 at 08:04:17 Definitely worth it, IMO. Most will agree, a small few will disagree. What to expect? Mine was a loooonng weekend. Friday evening (classroom), Saturday all day (1/2 classroom-1/2 course), 1/2 day on Sunday-(on the course, then test). They start slow and build you and your confidence gradually. Take it slow. Listen to what they say. Many things to learn. Participate in the discussions! The more active you are, the more you will get out of it! |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by Stimpy on 08/05/10 at 08:19:29 I have, yup worth it, go for it! (weekend course? how many hours?) Expect a bit of classroom activities and a fun day out with a bunch of people that are worse than you and a couple of tutors that are trying to be serious while trying not to laugh at the lot of you. Take a gatorade. - course practical, theorical & technical, get local laws & tips - learn your strenghts and weakneses by observing others and yourself. - precision-slow riding is harder than you think, learn how to quickly react. - learn to COORDINATE!! - statistics don't lie, accidents always happen in similar ways, learn about common mistakes and bad situations. - make friends/contacts to ride/repair your bikes with. - after the course continue to learn online, there are lots of free motorcycle safety courses and tutorials available, good luck. - oh, and DON'T think you can ride after the course, it takes many years, dozens of different bikes, roads and situations and thousands and thousands and thousands of miles to even become a mid-experienced rider, always know your skill limits and in the future sign up for a ''track day'', it's not the cheapest but you'll thank me later for it. Have fun and take some pictures for us will ya? ;) |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by gerald.hughes on 08/05/10 at 08:22:18 I took my first class after riding for about 25 years. I was amazed at how much I learned. I have retaken the advanced course every three or four years since, just to unlearn bad habits and stay sharp. Highly recommended. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by Tanker2Biker on 08/05/10 at 08:37:38 Course is mandatory in Texas, although I did not know that when I took it. I just thought it made sense to get some instruction before I tried it. Found the couse extremley instuctive, and fun as well. I took it on a Thursday-Friday. Both days 1/2 day in class; 1/2 day on the range. When I was done, I was absoulutley fully qualified to handle whatever happened to me riding 10 MPH in an empty parking lot ;). But it did get me to a point where I could start on low traffic neighboorhod roads and start getting the experience it takes to be safe and able on the road. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by mornhm - FSO on 08/05/10 at 08:38:53 I've taken the basic course and the advanced course and would recommend both. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by PerrydaSavage on 08/05/10 at 08:40:33 The Canadian equivalent of the American MSF Course is called "Gearing Up" and is offered in all Provinces by various afiliates of the Canada Safety Council. I took the Course here in Nfld. back in 2003 and am now in my 3rd Season as a certified MTP (Motorcycle Training Program) Instructor. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by verslagen1 on 08/05/10 at 09:11:01 expect it to be hot, take a cooler of liquid refreshment, sunscreen, be prepared to be drenched. yes it's worth it. if you can't handle the course, biking ain't for you. The real world is worse. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by Jive on 08/05/10 at 09:38:30 Ill be sure and post pics. Love yer avatar Verslagen, is that from JG 400? |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by PBLover on 08/05/10 at 10:13:50 Ditto on everything said. I rode years ago, but after 20+ without riding decided to take the course before giving it another go and have never regretted it. Learned a lot of useful tips too! Have fun and don't forget your rain gear. My entire weekend was outside in the rain with temps in the high 30's and low 40's and gusty winds last November in Minnesota... |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by verslagen1 on 08/05/10 at 10:32:20 1F3E1B382734510 wrote:
Not sure which group, but featured on the me163, a hot little rocket plane. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by kimchris1 on 08/05/10 at 11:06:01 My class consisted of two full days. The first 1/2 was class room and the 2nd 1/2 was course. We had to have all our gear and I would suggest you get a good nights rest the night before. My advice would be go in with an open mind. Don't think you already know more than the instructor. Their was a person in my class who thought that and once he dumped his bike in front of everyone he settled down. Good luck and keep us posted.. :) kim |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by JohnBoy on 08/05/10 at 11:27:49 I rode for years before taking the course. I still learned things. Go for it! |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by Jive on 08/05/10 at 11:33:01 Verslagen, the Komet is one of my favorite aircraft. I try to go up once a year to the US Air Force Museum in Dayton, OH to visit the Komet there. I'm excited about the class. I've been riding the back roads near my house, but that's about it. I'm hoping the class will help me be a bit more comfortable on the bike. I also fly r/c helicopters, and the only way I got more comfortable with those was more stick time. Like bikes, helis require 110% of your attention. I'm hoping the more time in saddle will help along with the class. Jive |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by LostArtist on 08/05/10 at 13:31:47 I took it, hated it, but it's worth every penny and should be taken. I never felt comfortable on the bike being how it was my first time on a motorcycle and just felt discouraged the whole way through the course, but that'd s personal thing with me, still, learned a lot from the course and think it should be taken by riders before a license test, which is now the law in texas that you have to get an endorsement from an MSF class before you get a riders permit. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by Charon on 08/05/10 at 14:10:37 I took the Motorcycle Safety Course many years ago while I was still in the Air Force, and after having ridden for many years. Even so, I managed to learn some things and was refreshed on others. Best of all, AF even paid for the course. Since then both my wife and my daughter have taken the course, and both thought it worth while. I tried to take the Advanced course, but there was insufficient interest and it was cancelled. I tried to talk some of my co-workers into taking it, knowing they were riders. The most succinct reaction: "I don't need no f*ing course. I know how to ride a f*ing motorcycle." Those unwilling to learn... I also took Kieth Code's Superbike course, and that was informative on a completely different level. Also worth the money. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by bill67 on 08/05/10 at 15:54:03 Best way to learn anything is OJT. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by Jive on 08/05/10 at 16:23:44 OJT? :-? |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by bill67 on 08/05/10 at 16:34:23 OJT On the job training Like riding the bike. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by Charon on 08/05/10 at 16:43:09 Bill already knows how to ride a motorcycle. He taught himself, so of course he is an expert. He is our resident nay-sayer concerning the Motorcycle Safety Course. He firmly believes MSF cannot teach him anything about motorcycling. And, with that attitude, he is probably correct. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by bill67 on 08/05/10 at 16:49:13 So far on here I read one girl broke her leg and another her arm in those motorcycle safety courses,Doesn't sound to safety to me. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by Charon on 08/05/10 at 16:55:11 That is a pretty weak statistical sample. Two injuries sounds bad, but how many were not injured? Without the "Rest of the Story" it's a mighty weak case. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by bill67 on 08/05/10 at 17:01:43 69424B5845442A0 wrote:
One story on one girl it was raining,I would have to say the instructor was pretty stupid,To let a beginner ride in the rain. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by PBLover on 08/05/10 at 18:16:11 It was raining and COLD when I took my course. We all voted to go ahead versus canceling. Best thing I ever did. It was miserable and slippery but I learned how to balance, keep myself upright when the wheels locked up in a slide on the wet pavement and too many other things to name. Only person to fall ended up being the instructor when he stopped and turned at the same time...oops. We all had a great time and were very glad when it was over, but it was worth every single miserable minute we spent there! |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by bill67 on 08/05/10 at 18:26:47 I believe the instructor falling. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by verslagen1 on 08/05/10 at 18:38:58 717A7F7F2524130 wrote:
I believe one was (not seriously) injured in my class. Needless to say, they didn't finish the class. Thank dog (for you dyslexics) Who decides who takes the class... the student. do they take a preliminary test before taking the class... no. If they can't even ride a bike they don't deserve to take the class. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by runwyrlph on 08/05/10 at 19:10:46 My opinions- based on my experience: if you're already riding, maybe take the "advanced riders course" at least that's what they call it in PA. You take your own bike, they assume you know how to start it and operate the controls. it is 2 - 3 nights or all day saturday. i totally agree it doesn't make you a "rider" but it does help. You get some tips from other people's " hard knocks" without as much risk. (you don't always survive otj on a motorcycle) You're forced to practice some operations you might have been trying to avoid in "real life", lilke turning real slow in a tight space....easy to avoid on your commute most days ;) You will almost definitely be a better rider after the course than before. Also read "Total Control" by Lee Parks (ignore the religious parts), and "Proficient Motorcycling" by David Hough. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by Skid Mark on 08/05/10 at 19:14:18 Have never taken a course, but when I started there was a lot less traffic and I was in a small rural town. If I was to start from scratch now, there would be no doubt about taking a course. Its the smart thing to do. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by Jive on 08/05/10 at 22:15:41 Just wanted to say that I read the "Idiots Guide to Motorcycles" and found it very informative, with a lot of good info. Jive |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by Angie on 08/06/10 at 05:25:56 I took the course and it was definately worth the time and money. Gave me lots of good info and some time on a small bike to get a bit more of a feel for it. Im still learning, and by no means does this class make up for seat time. But its a good start thats for sure. I took the class in late Oct, and in fact it was snowing during our riding evaluation. Burr!! Being the only woman in the class I thought I'd feel uncomfortable but I really didnt, and in fact ended up with a "score" about in the middle of the pack. Nothing but experience can teach you everything about riding, but its a good idea to start out as best informed as you can. Here in Iowa, you also get a discount on your insurance if you take this class. ;) |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by John_D FSO on 08/06/10 at 06:38:35 Took the course, definitely worth it. I'd never ridden before, and it cleared some of my misconceptions/misinformation out before I developed more bad habits. As to the rain, it warns you on the sign up sheet here that the class goes on, rain or shine, so ya takes yer chances. They do cancel for severe bad weather, like ice and such though. :P And yeah, bring water and sunscreen. I sunburned the heck outta my face the first day of the class! ;D |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by PerrydaSavage on 08/06/10 at 07:04:44 Here in St. John's, Nfld., the Motorcycle Training Program that I'm a part-time Instructor with, runs every weekend from late April to mid October ... early and late in the season, you can bank on getting some WILD weather up here and usually the Course goes ahead regardless ... I've personally been on our Training Range and seen wet snow and near-freezing rain. Only once in the 3 seasons I've been involved did I witness the Chief suspend training (final evaluations actually) because of weather (wet snow) ... Instructors and students alike usually suck it up ... if things look too if-y, the Chief has discretion to make decision on whether the weather will compromise ability to run the Course. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by Spiff on 08/06/10 at 08:01:21 As an MSF RiderCoach, I of course highly recommend the course. I'm scheduled to teach this weekend, as a matter of fact, and there's a chance of rain predicted both days. I always tell my students that rain is a bonus, as it gives them extra real-world riding experience! Bill's attitude dismays me, of course. He's said some pretty wise things on this forum over the years, but in this regard, I think he's way off base. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by bill67 on 08/06/10 at 08:41:32 I taught myself like every one else I know,Best money and waste of time I ever saved.BTW who taught you people how to walk. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by Charon on 08/06/10 at 09:41:45 Unless you have taken the course, Bill, you do not know. Only AFTER you take the course are you even qualified to speak about it. Now perhaps you need to quit dissuading those who, unlike you, are actually willing to learn. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by bill67 on 08/06/10 at 09:53:11 Charlie how did people learn to ride before the courses,How did people learn to drive cars before drivers training in schools its all a waste of tax payers money,School should be reading and writing and arithmetic .Not sex courses and drivers courses.For years the parents had no trouble teaching the kids. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by Charon on 08/06/10 at 09:59:41 Once again, Bill, you are attempting to obfuscate the issue. By your own statements, you have not taken the Motorcycle Safety Course. Until you take it, you are not qualified to talk about it. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by bill67 on 08/06/10 at 10:05:51 Most people want admit something they did was a waste of time and money, It would hurt their ego. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by babyhog on 08/06/10 at 10:42:16 4D46434319182F0 wrote:
More BS bill. You aren't gonna win this one. You CAN'T say it is a waste of money because you haven't been there. Yes, people learned to do things without training courses before, but training courses are taught by people who learned things the hard way. They pass their experience along to inexperienced folks to save them the possibility of problems. How did you learn not to brake in a curve? A wreck? I'm glad an instructor told me and I didn't have to experience such a wreck myself!! |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by bill67 on 08/06/10 at 11:22:27 I guess I learned things the hard way,I have no problem braking in a curve,See that more BS they tell you.39 years over 150000 miles and never been down. Those miles were all pleasure never used a bike to ride to work or to go shopping. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by T Mack 1 - FSO on 08/06/10 at 12:06:45 I took the advanced rider course here in PA. Actually I really think it's called the Experienced rider course. You take it on your own bike in PA. I was the only one with a Savage. I was the only one who max'd the course, no points deducted. I already had my license and took it as a refresher. Yea Bill, I knew most of the stuff , but........ The Panic stop stuff was a "oh yeah, I forgot about that" on the stopping but also getting it into first gear at the same time. And the Panic stop on a turn was another one. Locking it up correctly in a turn, and getting it to 1st so you can get out of there is a hurry took several tries to get it right. Knew most of it, but it was good to jog the memory. Since it's Free in PA, it was really good practice. The figure eight (actually a partial figure eight) was super easy on the Savage. But an old, old guy on a BMW cruising Boat of a bike dropped it. Odd thing was the bike didn't get a scratch on it because it's designed to be dropped. It has these rocking chair runner type things on the sides. The bike just sat there rocking and the guy got off. 4 guys to get it up right. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by Jive on 08/06/10 at 12:21:09 Wow Bill, that's harsh. I'm sorry but why in the world would you be so against something that could save lives? Also, I'm quite certain some people could jump into and airplane and fly it, but how many people would die trying? Information, especially on a subject that can easily kill you, is never a bad thing. I know I'm new here, but those comments are insane. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by bill67 on 08/06/10 at 12:31:51 These schools should get their sh!t together one says don't brake in a curve the others tell you how to lock your brakes in a curve,I'll to it my way brake in a curve but not lockup brakes in a curve. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by Paladin. on 08/06/10 at 12:43:30 I started riding 1964, all self taught. I have never had a cop try to pull me over, I have never crashed. Took the BRC in 2004, found it interesting. Disagreed with my riding with a finger on the levers, learned a little. Anyone who claim they know everything is an idiot. As for the MSF in general. Statistics in the 1960's - 1970's, with the MSF starting in the 1980's, more statistics in the 1990's+. Compared with the majority having taken the MSF course, they have one third many as accidents as those who were self-taught. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by bill67 on 08/06/10 at 12:50:10 Cars and motorcycles today handle a lot better than they did in the 60s,And the newer tires help that a lot. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by Jive on 08/06/10 at 13:00:08 I know I'm glad my doctor wasn't self taught! ;) |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by Spiff on 08/06/10 at 13:12:55 The MSF courses are 100% funded by the fees collected from the students. One. Hundred. Percent. I know this because I also serve on the board that oversees the program and I've seen the balance sheets. So, Bill's claim that the courses are a waste of taxpayer money is also full of bull poopies. Anyone notice a pattern here? |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by runwyrlph on 08/06/10 at 16:48:28 i don't agree with bill67 on this issue, but it's not funded that way in PA. Here, the MSC is "free" to the student. My understanding is that it's paid for by all MC license fees. In other words if you get an "M" class license, you pay for the class whether you take it or not. i was also going to say what paladin said - but couldn't remember the exact statistics on decreased crashes. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by mick on 08/06/10 at 16:54:59 I have been riding well over 55 years,I took it few years ago so as to lower my insurance rate.and after all those years I am humbled to say I still learned alot,so don't knock it Bill,try it it could lower your insurance rate. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by bill67 on 08/06/10 at 17:01:19 3211080707610 wrote:
Not in Wisconsin I don't know about other states. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by verslagen1 on 08/06/10 at 17:04:34 A hamster do what a hamster does. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by bill67 on 08/06/10 at 17:04:52 Mick what did you learn? Which way did they tell you Not brake in a curve or how to lock your brake in a curve, See we have 2 people here that were told different things.Now which one of the instructors was the stupid one.I disagree with both of them. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by T Mack 1 - FSO on 08/06/10 at 18:32:36 777C79792322150 wrote:
Bill, Wake up and read the post. Babyhog's was the "try not to brake in a cruve and power thru" lesson. Mine was the "oh Sh.T :o got to stop in a curve" lesson. So... Bill, what do you do if you're coming around a sharp blind curve and their is something stopped in the middle of it?????? Use you're imagination.... a Big old Tractor with a traliler full of Hay, A beat up old car with the hood up in the middle of the road, ..... a naked Playboy bunny winking at you..... (hmmmmm maybe that last one isn't a good example........ ) ? T Mack |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by bill67 on 08/06/10 at 18:49:25 I brake in a curve I have no problem with doing that.And I didn't have to have someone tell me what to do or how to do it. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by PerrydaSavage on 08/07/10 at 02:21:31 If I could weigh in ... bill, you make some interesting points ... yes, will agree that some folk are perfectly capable of learning to Ride or drive perfectly well without professional instruction ... BUT, I firmly believe that in today's world where traffic has increased exponentially over levels of the 50's & 60's, is faster and with distracting gagets like cell phones, etc. thrown into the mix, professional Rider Training gives (most) motorcyclists who have taken a Course a better chance on our roadways. Proper technique can be learned the hard way thru trial and error, or taught properly ... my 2 cents. As for braking (NOT "breaking" why do some folk insist on spelling that word incorrectly! LOL!) in a curve ... we teach how to perform a quick stop in a curve. While negotiating a curve at speed, the Bike is usually banked over in a lean. Sudden application of the brakes (locking front and/or rear) while in this attitude can possibly result in a low-side crash. The technique we teach students is that if an obstacle presents itself in the path of the motorcyclist while negotiating a curve, first thing is to straighten Bike upright and point out of the curve away from obstacle. Once Bike is straight (takes fraction of second to do this) apply both front and rear brakes smoothly and progressively while simultaneously pulling in clutch and tapping down on shifter to ensure in 1st gear when Bike comes to a stop. Finally, a quick head check to see if someone is coming up too fast on your six o' clock so that you can skee-daddle before getting punted into the ditch or on-coming traffic! |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by Charon on 08/07/10 at 07:06:45 Perry, the Owner's Manuals for my motorcycles (both Kawasaki and Suzuki) suggest simply ignoring the shifter in an emergency stop. My guess is they feel getting stopped safely is more important than ending up in the right gear once stopped. I appreciate the idea of being in the right gear for a "quick get-away" if needed. Keith Code, in his Superbike school, comes up with this thought. You have a certain amount of attention available. That attention has to be divided among all the tasks facing you. A beginner may use almost all of it just getting the clutch and throttle to work together to get moving. Cruising down a secondary road in little traffic may call for very little - which leaves your mind wandering and not concentrating on driving. A sudden emergency may require all the attention, and dividing it unwisely can result in problems. This is where I think Kawasaki and Suzuki suggest just concentrating on stopping and not worrying about shifting, until the attention demand is reduced. I am not trying to contradict your school's teaching, but am presenting an alternate point of view. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by bill67 on 08/07/10 at 08:30:46 I never worry what gear I'm if I have to stop quick. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by T Mack 1 - FSO on 08/08/10 at 06:07:53 4D786F6F64797C4E7C6B7C7A781D0 wrote:
Hi Perry, Bingo.... exactly what they taught in class. It's one of those things that if you think about it makes sense, but if you had to think about it when it was happening, you wouldn't have time. I must admit that it took a few tries to get the feel. The dirt biker in me wanted to do a foot down slide. But.....foot down on asphalt isn't the same as foot down in dirt |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by verslagen1 on 08/08/10 at 10:59:33 As us old timers all know... quick shifting the savage in a panic stop will most likely leave you in the gear you started with. And with a touchy rear brake your attention is better spent on braking. But it is a skill worth practicing, as it may become a rote skill and accomplished w/o any thought at all. Personally, I brake with engine braking as well. I serves several purposes, the jacob brake sound generally gets someone attention and rather than look around for the truck bearing down on them, they just get out of the way. Also, I find that it moderates the rear brake and rather than letting the rear wheel lock up and stop, it keeps it rolling. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by photojoe on 08/08/10 at 11:10:43 I roll throttle through the twisties most of the time, however, if I'm heading into a tight turn at a somewhat high speed, I do brake before I enter it. Yesterday I was entering a very tight turn (twisting right) at about 35 mph when a car pulled out from the left without stopping at the stop sign. I was able to avoid it and had enough time to flip them the bird when after I straightened out 8-) |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by verslagen1 on 08/08/10 at 11:21:55 352D2A312A2F2A450 wrote:
I'm guessin' this would have been a bad time to straighten up in a turn then stop. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by bill67 on 08/08/10 at 11:24:24 032821322F2E400 wrote:
Unless you have used Sea Foam,Charlie,You do not know.Only AFTER you try it are you qualified to speak about it.Now perhaps you need to quit dissuading those who,unlike you,are actually willing to learn. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by photojoe on 08/08/10 at 11:32:03 594A5D5C434E484A411E2F0 wrote:
I'm guessin' this would have been a bad time to straighten up in a turn then stop. [/quote] I wouldn't have done anything different. It's funny how our natural instincts kick in when we get into certain situations. We hear all of the talk about how to ride into turns, counter steering etc. but we're already doing these things, because the bike and our bodies let us know ;) |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by bill67 on 08/08/10 at 11:40:30 223A3D263D383D520 wrote:
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by Charon on 08/08/10 at 18:30:57 Bill, Sea Foam is not the topic of discussion. Get back on topic. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by bill67 on 08/08/10 at 18:32:46 How often do we stay on the topic of discussion. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by Fuschia on 08/08/10 at 20:02:12 So how was your day,guys? ;D |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by Paladin. on 08/08/10 at 20:59:14 I am mellowing. A Metro Bus was pulling out from the stop . . . and I ALLOWED him out. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by babyhog on 08/09/10 at 08:12:55 Hey Jive, where are you taking the course? I noticed in another post you said you rode from Princeton to Beckley, WV. Where are you from? I'm from St. Albans. I took the course in Poca. Almost went to Beckley, but lucked out and had a cancellation in Poca. Actually, one of my instructors said she normally does classes in Beckley. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by Southpaw on 08/09/10 at 09:15:56 I took it in '06 since it had been such a long time since I'd owned a bike. It gave me a wider perspective than I had on identifying potential hazards and some practical experience on things like panic stops - something I'd never practiced since, as a youth, I'd always relied on my reflexes. As we get older, having a few extra "tricks up our sleeve" to keep us out of trouble seemed like a good idea! Lots of good information. As with a lot of things, take what is useful and build from there. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by bill67 on 08/09/10 at 09:47:31 0C302A2B372F3E285F0 wrote:
As you get older the tricks up your sleeve is common sense. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by Jive on 08/09/10 at 10:23:09 4546474A48522B0 wrote:
I am taking the course in Beckley. I actually live in Beckley, and my family is mostly in Princeton. I'm too scared of 77 right now, so I went rt 19. Lovely ride! Jive |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by PerrydaSavage on 08/10/10 at 03:06:18 Once again I find myself agreeing with Bill ... do not under estimate the value of common sense. Sadly though, it is a commodity that seems to be somewhat lacking with far too many folk these days ... :( |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by Angie on 08/10/10 at 05:06:42 604B42514C4D230 wrote:
Everyone has a right to their own opinon. Im not saying I agree with Bill, but he can think anything he pleases. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by LostArtist on 08/10/10 at 11:04:32 common sense partnered with education is a great great thing, common sense alone is pretty good too. Education alone is pretty good too. I"m not sure Bill believes much in education though. . . |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by bill67 on 08/10/10 at 11:36:04 Do you have to have a teacher follow you around today to learn something today?By accident you might learn something today on your own. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by Jive on 08/10/10 at 12:02:21 Thanks for everyones info! But if we could steer back on topic for a bit, id like to know what type of bikes they have at the course? Be interesting to try different bikes methinks. Jive |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by babyhog on 08/10/10 at 12:21:39 According to the WV DMV website (I just looked this up for a co-worker whose son-in-law is wanting to take the course): Training motorcycles are provided and include: Honda CM250 Custom, CM200T, Nighthawk 250, CB125S, CB125TT, Rebel 250, NX125; Suzuki GN125, GN250, GZ250, DR125; Kawasaki KE100, Eliminator 125; and Yamaha Route 66 250. I claimed a GZ250, thought it was as close to my S40 as possible. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by Southpaw on 08/10/10 at 12:45:23 The course I took had all Suzuki and Honda Rebel 250s |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by DianeS. on 08/10/10 at 16:44:26 In 2005, when I did my MSC (M1 Exit Course), they had a variety of smaller cc bikes: Can't recall all of the makes, but they had a few dirtbikes, a yahama cruiser, some sportbikes, etc. Probably about 30 bikes lined up for the students to pick and ride. This past weekend when I did my Advanced M2 Exit Course at a different college, I noticed that the new students in the MSC all rode identical dirtbikes. (They were at the far end of the same parking lot) So, I guess different places have different equipment to use. As for the value of taking a MSC or advanced motorcycle courses, I learned a lot, and did get a discount on my insurance. I'm still a relatively new rider, and I learned things about riding that I might not have picked up on my own. So for me, the courses were well worth it. (I'd only riden dirtbikes and minibikes as a kid - not real motorcycles). Having said that, I never did take a car driving course, except for a defensive driving course as part of my military training. To each his own.... |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by John_D FSO on 08/13/10 at 02:03:46 We had a little variety. Mostly Honda CB250's (I think), 1 dual-sport, 1 Ninja 250, and one Rebel type bike. I rode the CB for most of the training, but took the test on the Rebel, since it sat more like the Savage which I'd been practicing on between day 1 and day 2. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by PerrydaSavage on 08/13/10 at 03:43:34 Our local "Gearing Up" Motorcycle Training Progam has a fleet of 38 or so Bikes, made up of CMX250 Rebels, GZ250 Marauders, DR200 Dual Sports, older CB150T's and a handful of Brazilian spec Honda Titan 150's (very well balanced!) ... we had a few GN125's (now retired) and a new Honda CBR125R (Nice Bike!) that was on loan from our local Honda dealer but has now been returned ... |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by Jive on 08/26/10 at 16:29:00 Well I start the course tomorrow @ 5:45. I will post updates here throughout the weekend, and hopefully some pics if they will allow me to snap some. Jive |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by babyhog on 08/26/10 at 17:07:25 577653706F7C190 wrote:
Good luck, relax, and have fun! :) |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by Jive on 08/28/10 at 19:04:39 Went to the class last night, and did all the bookwork. Most of the stuff was the same stuff I had read about from the Idiot's Guide, so I didn't have much problem with the written test. Today, we had to be at the range @ 6:30am. Started riding @ 7am. They had 4 Suzuki GZ250's and 2 Honda Nighthawk 250's. I must say, I somehow got the GZ250 that was pretty banged up. Huge dent in the tank, and paint scrapes on the other side. Iit did not like to go into neutral, and was very jerky on the throttle. I dunno if it was the chain drive or what, but it was hard to hold a slow speed with it. None of the bikes had mirror's, as they said they got tired of replacing them. Rode till around 11 or so. Most of it was basic stuff, but the slow speed slaloms and panic stops really helped me, as that were the two areas I was nervous about. Test tomorrow! Jive http://bikepics.com/pictures/2049298/ http://bikepics.com/pictures/2049300/ http://bikepics.com/pictures/2049303/ |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by mick on 08/28/10 at 19:19:27 Ok Jive,so so pics,we like pictures with beans in them, When I say beans I mean humanbeans,bikes are nice but they look lonely. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by Oldfeller on 08/29/10 at 13:04:09 So, y'all want an instructor to follow you around and show you how to ride your bike? Jest come on up to the Dragon this upcoming June 26th through July 2 and the crew of special instructors will educate you in twists and turns and Hurley passing done all safely and discreetly. Then when you think you are ready to graduate, CF the head instructor will take you out on the Skyway to see if you've really gotten it all right in your heads or not. He may even bring you back, too ;) My God, where are all the students??? They did WHAT ??!! Right off the side of the mountain !!!! http://www.turboforce3d.com/bilder/annoying_site/big_deal.jpg |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by bill67 on 08/29/10 at 13:38:11 Of put your clothes back on. |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by Oldfeller on 08/29/10 at 14:22:12 Hey, they wanted pictures of peeple |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by Jive on 08/29/10 at 18:05:30 Sorry guys, got no pics with the guys/gals in them. For some reason I didn't even think to take any of us! Good news is I, along with the other 5 people, all passed. Our groups included 2 gals, one that had not ridden anything but a bicycle, and the other that had ridden dirt bikes 25 or so years ago, but nothing since. Us guys had some riding experience, but not a lot. It was amazing watching the one gal start out very shaky, and slowly start doing better, and gaining confidence. From what I could tell, she did very well on the test. IMHO, the course was well worth the time and money, and the other students agreed. The main thing I learned from the course was how to panic stop, and not skid the tires. It's a good feeling to be able to really romp on the brakes, and be in control at the same time! Also, learning how to panic brake in a curve was good as well, because that always scared me. Here is WV, there are a ton of deer, and I've always been afraid I would find some in a corner! All in all, a very fun weekend!! BTW, I checked the trip meter on my bike, we rode 18 miles total!!! Jive |
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Title: Re: Who here has taken the Motorcycle Safety Cours Post by babyhog on 08/29/10 at 19:05:05 Congratulations Jive! :) |
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